Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Antibiotics are not generally needed if the wound is more than 2 days old and there is no sign of infection or in superficial noninfected wounds evaluated early that can be left open to heal by secondary intention in compliant people with no significant comorbidity (58). Antibiotics should be considered with high-risk wounds that involve the hands, feet, face, tendons, ligaments, joints, or suspected fractures or for any penetrating bite injury in a person with diabetes, asplenia, or cirrhosis or who is immunosuppressed.

Coamoxiclav (amoxycillin and clavulanic acid) is the first-line treatment for mild-moderate dog or human bites resulting in infections managed in primary care. For adults, the recommended dose is 500/125 mg three times daily and for children the recommended does is 40 mg/kg three times daily (based on amoxycillin component). Treatment should be continued for 10-14 days. It is also the first-line drug for prophylaxis when the same dose regimen should be prescribed for 5-7 days. If the individual is known or suspected to be allergic to penicillin, a tetracycline (e.g., doxycycline 100 mg twice daily) and metronidazole (500 mg three times daily) or an aminoglycoside (e.g., erythromycin) and metronidazole can be used. In the United Kingdom, doxycycline use is restricted to those older than 12 years and in the United States to those older than 8 years old. Specialist advice should be sought for pregnant women.

Anyone with severe infection or who is clinically unwell should be referred to the hospital. Tetanus vaccine should be given if the primary course or last booster was more than 10 years ago. Human tetanus immunoglobulin should be considered for tetanus-prone wounds (e.g., soil contamination, puncture wounds, or signs of devitalized tissue) or for wounds sustained more than 6 hours old. If the person has never been immunized or is unsure of his or her tetanus status, a full three-dose course, spaced at least 1 month apart, should be given.

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